Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Outrage over the murder of Alexis Grigoropoulos continues to spread:

Rioting in Thessaloniki and Athens Wednesday.

Greece - Two officers who were arrested for the murder of Alexis Grigoropoulos were presented before an Athens judge today as rioters outside hurled molotov cocktails at the courthouse. Sporadic bouts of rioting continued for the fifth consecutive day in both the capital, the port city of Thessaloniki, and more than eight other cities. In Athens more than 400 business have been burned out or vandalized.

Rome, Italy - A solidarity demonstration in Rome culminated in the overturning of cars, burning barricades and fierce battles with riot police outside the Greek embassy.

Germany - Dozens of solidarity demonstrations, some spontaneous, were held in cities throughout the country. Protesters in solidarity with Alexis attacked a bank and destroyed city property in Frankfurt which has a sizable Greek population. Monday's embassy occupation in Berlin ended after eight hours when the police promised safe passage to demonstrators. Another demonstration was in Dresden attacked a courthouse leaving broken windows and graffiti.

New York, New York, U.S. - A hooded individual who left the scene on a yellow BMX bicycle threw bricks through windows at the Greek consulate around 4 AM. Graffiti was also painted on building including an anarchist symbol and the words "Alex was here," "murders," and what appears to be the word "burn!"

Though the connection seems to be a bit of a stretch, authorities believe that the vandalism may be the work of the "Bicycle Bomber" who threw small bombs at the Mexican and British consulates and last year bombed the Army recruitment center in Times Square. Later in the day an anarchist organized solidarity protest was held outside the damaged consulate which was closed for the day due to the attack. Police commissioner Ray Kelly said that the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.

Moscow, Russia - An unknown individual threw a firebomb at the Greek consulate building today igniting a small blaze that had to be extinguished by embassy staff. An eyewitness described the attacker as a young man between 18 and 20-years-old.

Istanbul, Turkey - Anarchists held a demonstration outside the Greek consulate and left the building covered in red paint and an anarchy symbol.